Water rates skyrocket for high-end users

Published 9:59 am, Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Those who utilize more than 10,000 gallons of water per month will be paying more in the coming months.

Those who utilize more than 10,000 gallons of water per month will be paying more in the coming months.

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Water rates skyrocket for high-end users

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The city’s top water users are going to pay more starting April 1.

In a unanimous vote, the city council on Tuesday agreed to increase by five times the amount charged for those who utilize more than 10,000 gallons of water per month. In raising the cost, council members said they’re hopeful people will become more cognizant of how they’re using water and, in turn, start to conserve.

“It’s not about money,” Mayor Wes Perry said. “We do not have the water this summer. There may be no watering outdoors at all. We’re trying not to get to that point.”

Under the ordinance that was approved, water customers who use between 10,000 and 25,000 gallons of water per month will pay $19.55 per thousand gallons purchased. Currently, they’re charged $3.91 per thousand gallons.

Those utilizing more than 25,000 gallons of water will pay $22.50 per thousand gallons instead of the $4.50 they’re paying now.

“That 10,000 (gallons) is based on winter usage because that’s all we have,” said John James, councilman for District 3.

Any water user purchasing between 2,000 and 10,000 gallons of water per month still will pay $3.26 per thousand gallons used. Every water customer also still will pay a base rate of $14.35, which covers some fire protection costs as well as the first 2,000 gallons of water utilized each month.

In the coming weeks, residents will receive a letter showing what their water usage was last summer and what it will cost them if that use remains the same.

Several citizens said they’re not pleased with the change.

“I’m just worried,” said resident Bill Bankston, adding his household of two uses 6,000 to 9,000 gallons a month during winter months. “There’s a lot of people who are in my shoes. It’s a big concern.”

Bankston said with gasoline prices continuing to rise, most people can’t handle such a steep water rate increase.

Other residents agreed, and said it would be better if the level at which the rate was increased was 12,000 gallons of water per month.

Stuart Purvis, director of Utilities, said the 10,000 gallon limit was set based upon how much water the city will have to deliver this spring and summer. If everyone’s limit were raised a few thousand gallons, there might not be enough water in the system to meet the need.

Plus, council members said, the average family typically doesn’t use more than 10,000 gallons per month indoors. It’s only when they water their lawns that the limit is surpassed.

“It’s all driven by how much water we actually have,” Purvis said.

The Colorado River Municipal Water District has limited the city of Midland to a delivery of 13.9 million gallons of water per day. Another 4.6 million gallons will be added to Midland’s supply from its Paul Davis Well Field.

However, with 18.5 million gallons total, the city will have much less water per day than has been sold in the past, Purvis said. During summer 2011, the city usually sold between 25 million and 30 million gallons of water per day, he said.

To stay under the limit, Perry said residents and businesses are being restricted to two hours of outdoor watering per week. The rate change is meant to enforce those restrictions because anyone utilizing an excessive amount of outdoor water likely will incur the extra charges.

Under the restrictions -- which also start on April 1 -- residents and businesses will be assigned one day per week when they can water outdoors.

Each address will have the ability to water for two hours between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight on their assigned day. Days are being assigned based on six zones the city has been split into.

Rita Wheeler, a resident who spoke at Tuesday’s meeting, said she doesn’t agree with how the days were assigned. Her address falls in the zone that will water on Wednesday and she said she always attends church on Wednesdays.

“Wednesday is choir night,” she said. “Is there another time or another day?”

Perry told Wheeler that she, and others who have conflicts, can apply for a variance with the City Manager’s Office and likely will be assigned another day.

However, the number of variances given to any part of the restrictions or rate structure will be minimal, City Manager Courtney Sharp said.

Although any type of watering device can be used, Purvis cautioned individuals to be aware of how much water each device uses. A pop-up sprinkler head, for example, can use 1.5 to four gallons per minute, a soaker hose 30 gallons per hour and a hand-held hose five gallons per minute.

Scott Dufford, councilman at large, said he’s heard from residents at all ends of the spectrum who are upset over either the rate increase or watering restrictions.

“I think we’ve found a balance because everybody is mad,” he said.

Businesses, schools and apartments that use more than 10,000 gallons of water through indoor use alone will be given a variance from the rate increase. Purvis said families that can show they use more than 10,000 gallons of water through indoor winter water use also will be able to apply for a variance with the city manager.

If the city uses too much, council members said, outdoor watering will have to be eliminated.

“We all want water when we turn on the shower,” said Jeff Sparks, councilman for District 1.

Kathleen Petty can be reached at kpetty@mrt.com.

Water rates:

0 - 2,000 gallons of water: $14.35 base charge

2,001 - 10,000 gallons of water: $3.26 per thousand gallons

10,001 - 25,000 gallons of water: $19.55 per thousand gallons

More than 25,000 gallons of water: $22.50 per thousand gallons

*Rate increases will start on April 1 and be reflected in May bills

Water restrictions:

— Residents and businesses each will be assigned one day per week on which they can water outdoors for two hours.

— Customers can choose two hours between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight to water.